Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in North Carolina

It depends upon the type of hospital. NC hospitals that are "public hospitals" can issue wage garnishment and levies on bank accounts if they get a judgment against you. I do not believe any NC hospital could intercept your refund directly from the state of SC. Since you recently incurred the bill, it would be best to set up payment arrangements now in order to prevent the bill from going to collections at all. FYI - certain NC city and county ambulance services do not have to get a judgment before issuing a levy on bank accounts. They can intercept tax refunds, garnish wages and levy bank accounts if the bill is unpaid for 90 days, subject to certain limitations.

I agree with Attorney Coleman. Public/state hospitals in NC can intercept your NC state tax refund if they recover a judgment against you. However, you indicate you are in SC. I don't know what the exemptions are in SC and if intercept of state tax refunds there is allowed. Direct your question to SC attorneys in that regard. Federal tax refunds can be intercepted too, but that is usually for child support debt or monies owed to the federal government.

I would also agree that you need to work out some kind of payment arrangement once you exhaust all your avenues to get relief. Are you insured? Have you applied for charity care? Many places have charity care for people who are uninsured or low income. Other places may offer to cut your bill in half if you are uninsured or give a discount if you can afford to pay in full by a certain date. If its a large bill and you have no means of ever repaying in this lifetime, may want to consider bankruptcy. Otherwise, try to work out a reasonable arrangement. Understand though that hospitals are not banks. Payment arrangements or paying only what you think you can afford will not stop the hospital from calling you and will not prevent the debt from going to collections. Verbal assurances are meaningless. You need to get any arrangements in writing. Payment is expected and if you want the easy payment plan, you may need to apply for a personal loan, pay off the medical bill then repay the loan over time.